Former Bell County District Judge C. W. Duncan ruled Tuesday that another judge should hear the criminal charges against former U.S. House Majority leader Tom DeLay.

DeLay’s attorneys argued successfully during a hearing Tuesday in Austin that the judge assigned to the case, Bob Perkins of Austin, should be removed because of his strong support of various Democratic causes.

DeLay is named in separate indictments charging conspiracy and money laundering in an alleged scheme to funnel corporate donations to Republican candidates for the Texas Legislature in 2002.

DeLay says he’s innocent and calls Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who led the investigation, a rogue prosecutor with a political agenda.

Earlier Tuesday, a GOP legislator who's known Perkins for years said he personally doesn't question the judge's ability to hear the case.

That endorsement came from State Representative and former Travis County sheriff and prosecutor Terry Keel.

But Keel said the public might question whether Perkins could remain unbiased, since they don't know him personally like he does.

DeLay's legal team subpoenaed Perkins to testify Tuesday, but Duncan ruled Perkins was not required to testify.